The Thirst Club Esquires Bedford. Saturday 15th January 2005.
Quite a mixed bag for this first Saturday night gig at the venue, although an alternative to Esquires night was set up at The Grafton pub the week before – a kind of warm up gig for Doubting Thomas before their headlining gig at Esquires.
BLACKOUT were one of the best opening bands I’ve seen in a while, they have only played smaller lesser known venues so far, yet they played such a tight performance and generated an immediate response from the crowd with some early moshing to the evening. They have a death metal sound and some pretty amazing vocals for the type of music, they also have quite a good repertoire of material and even included a cover from one of my favourite bands – ‘System Of A Down’. I was very impressed with this band and think they will soon be gaining a big local following. I also happen to know that a venue promoter was impressed also and will be asking Blackout to return!
OX. Billed as ‘Singer songwriter from Brighton, was I think, the only band not bought in as friends of the headliners, who asked their friends in other bands to play on the bill… And it showed.
All the momentum built up by the first band was lost and the crowd attention seemed to plummet. I’m afraid this band did nothing for me either. I was left wondering if they had a deal with a furniture store and could supply rocking chairs to listen to any C.D.’s of theirs. Good musicians though and can play their instruments well, also quite a professional sound and approach to the music, but just seemed a bit dull in a dragging a giant sack of potatoes kind of way, especially when played on a bill between much livelier bands. I’m sure they would have fared better on a more pedestrian, ephemeral line up, where as here, although musically competent and intelligent music – just seemed to have all the tension of a broken elastic band live. – Although on a different bill I would have probably liked them more.
AKIVA It was so good to hear this bands songs live, having heard their C.D., which was a well produced package with some great material and was available for sale on the night. They have such an individual sound that mixes and varies throughout their songs. They seem to be able to inject some good vibes to their songs and were probably the most professional sounding band of the night and their bass player was so good I’m sure he could teach it! They don’t seem to be over heavy on guitars but compensate with being able to have that something special factor to their overall sound.
Musically talented but lousy sales men when one of the band jokingly plugged their C.D.’s for sale for eighty quid, ha ha – perhaps that’s what they will be worth in the future?
DOUBTING THOMAS. Does anyone remember that local pop punk band New Road? Really popular a short while back, winning battle of the bands, headlining shows, backing larger well known acts (Wheatus) and getting gigs further afeald. They have split up now but seemed to go as far as they could go musically on the live scene. I think it would be fair comment and compliment to say that Doubting Thomas could easily fill that slot. They always seem to bring a healthy crowd following with them to gigs, someone had actually come all the way from Leeds! They have sorted their new drummer now, who plays with the drum thumping gusto that fits in well with the band. After their warm up gig at the Grafton the week before, they seemed well practiced + rehearsed and can certainly deliver the goods (and the sweets that were thrown to the crowd – a little trademark of theirs at gigs!) and put on a show, which you would appreciate even if like me , not strictly into pop punk. Therese some good plucky guitar work and uplifting chords that make their music so good at live shows, successfully delivered by these crowd pleasers. Not even the tongue in cheek words from the singer about the split of Busted could break the happy vibe (Its enough to cheer you up more). It’s good that their front man takes the trouble to engage everyone and talk with the crowd between songs. Perhaps a bit more strength to the singing would improve them but still a competent front man with uplifting vibes and tunes making an entertaining live act.
I loved the second track on their C.D. available on the night, which proves that if they had the money and studio allocation, they could easily produce some good quality songs that goes the way to making this band that much better than the average band of its genre.
Keith www.bedfordmetal.tk